Basketball play analyzer



s -J l' Aug. 6, 195? I B, D 2,801,476

' BASKETBALL PLAY ANALYZER Filed June 15, 1955 LFIEI. 2.

/5 Q. INVENTOR: I BY BYRON F. REED W? I ATTYS.

United States Patent BASKETBALL PLAY ANALYZER Byron Farbeaux Reed,Yeadon, Pa.

Application June 13, 1955, Serial No. 515,081

3 Claims. (Cl. 35-29) This present invention relates to improvements inteaching all plays, offense and defenses, in basketball.

This game teaching apparatus is literally the foul lane of a basketballcourt made into a rounded iron rim.

An object of this present invention resides in the portability of theapparatus which can be hung on a wall or laid on the floor, or table. Astill further object of the present invention resides in the novelconstruction of the two retainers for the game pieces which are a partof the construction of the teaching device. The game pieces are the tenplayers, five on each retainer represented by ten, or more playerpieces, which slide on the retainers at the end of the apparatus. Five(5) of these player pieces or more are made of brass and are numberedfrom 1 to 5, or more, to represent the five, or more different playerson the home team, while the other five player pieces are zinc plated torepresent the opponents and are likewise numbered 1 to 5, or more.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a quick defenseformation, or a needed ofiense, during a time out during the game ofbasketball by placing the apparatus on the floor and having the fiveplayers surround the same for instructions. By using the flatwise playerpieces to simulate the players, precise and definite instructions can begiven. When the player pieces are not in use they can be stored on theretainer provided for the same.

Another particular object of the invention is the ease by which theplayer pieces, representing the players, can be moved under theapparatus thus illustrating unobstructed movement for any player, orplayers. This is possible because the apparatus touches the floor atonly three points, thus raising the apparatus at least one quarter of aninch from the floor. The legs which support the apparatus will bedescribed later.

A still further object of the present invention resides in thedurability of the apparatus because there are no moving parts to wearout.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the player piecespositioned to illustrate a conventional basketball play.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and particularly Figs. 1 and2 thereof, reference numeral 10, design-ates generally a frame structureformed, for example, of rounded steel stock which is shaped to form theoutline of the foul lane of a basketball court. The frame structurecomprises an arcuate end portion 11 terminating in spaced parallelstraight leg portions 12, 12, with the arcuate portion and straight legportions lying in a common plane and representing the outer lines of abasketball foul lane. A cross member 13 extends diametrically across thearcuate portion 11 and is secured in position on the frame structure 10,

2,801,476 Patented Aug. 6, 1957 for example, by welding. The crossmember 13 represents the foul line of the basketball foul lane. A secondcross member 14 extends perpendicularly between the leg portions 12, 12adjacent the terminal ends of the leg portions to represent the positionof the backboard, and is secured in position, for example, by means ofwelding. A small ring 15 is welded or otherwise secured at the mid-pointof the cross member 14 to represent the basket. This above structureprovides an accurate representation on a small scale of a basketballfoul lane, back-board, and basket. This entire structure is supported ina position spaced upwardly from a flat surface by means of a downwardlyprojecting portion or foot 16 formed integrally with the mid-portion ofthe arcuate segment of the frame and by a pair of foot members 17, 17formed integrally with the terminal ends of the legs 12, 12. The footmembers 17, 17 terminate in a hook shaped portion, each designed tosupport a set of five player pieces 18 and 19. The two sets of playerpieces 18 and 19 have a central opening therein so that they may bereceived and stored on the hook portions of the frame and the two setsare formed of different materials or are of different colors so that thefive player pieces representing one team may be distinguished from theother five player pieces representing the other team.

To use this device, the frame structure 10 is placed on a floor or tabletop, as illustrated in Fig. 3 with the foot members 16 and 17 supportingthe frame structure above the floor or table surface so that the playerpieces may pass beneath the frame. The two sets of player pieces maythen be positioned within or adjacent the frame to illustrate abasketball play to a single player or a group of players. For example,in Fig. 3, the player pieces are positioned to illustrate one form of athrow-in play. If desired, chalk or a pencil may be inserted through theopening in the player pieces to move the player pieces and indicatetheir path of travel.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed that a device has been providedwhich will accomplish all of the objects herein above set forth.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A basketball play analyzer for demonstrating basketball plays withplayer pieces, comprising a portable rigid frame structure made in theshape of a basketball foul lane having a foul line, back-board andbasket secured thereto, foot portions secured to said structure operableto maintain the said structure at a predetermined distance above a fiatsurface, and said player pieces being of a thickness less than saidpredetermined distance and operable to be moved about on said surfaceand pass beneath said frame structure.

2. A basketball play analyzer for demonstrating bas ketball plays withplayer pieces, comprising a frame structure having an open arcuateportion at one end thereof terminating in spaced parallel straight legportions, said arcuate portion and leg portions lying substantially inthe same plane and representing a basketball foul lane, a first crossmember secured to said frame extending diametrically of said arcuateportion perpendicular to said leg portions and representing the foulline of the foul lane, a second cross member secured to said frameextending between said frame leg portions parallel to said first crossmember representing the basketball back-board, a circular member securedto the mid-point of said second cross member and projecting outwardlytherefrom toward said first cross member to represent the basket,retaining means to support the player pieces at the terminal ends ofsaid frame leg portions, and foot members formed integrally with saidframe arcuate portion and leg portions to support said frame above aflat surface and permit the player pieces to be moved about on saidsurface beneath said frame.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said retaining meanscomprises a hookportionat the 5 terminal end of each of said frameportions, and said player pieces having means defining a centralaperture therein adapted to fit overlsaid hook portions and permit theplayer pieces to be secured to saidhook portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

